Harwel

Yes NicolaH, agree with you on all those points. That’s why most schools are happy to accept boys up to 18 whereas not so common for the girls. But the days of boys having done next to no ballet and starting at 13/14 and going on to a professional career are getting fewer and fewer. The standard now is too high to be able to reach the required standard in a few years. There are always exceptions of course. My son started vocational training at 14 but had already passed intermediate and all the boys in his class had passed advanced 1 at 15. Most did not seem as ‘put together’ as the girls at the same age so there was certainly an element of selection on potential but a certain standard was certainly required too. My ds was 6’2’’ at 15 and has had a real challenge to get his long limbs to do what’s required and we were told he wouldn’t ‘come into his own’ until about 18. At 17 he’s still getting there. Potential is essential but so is a technical proficiency.

I really don’t think that’s the case anymore. It used to be true but so many talented boys now.

Hours of training is not really the crucial thing, but good solid technique is essential. There are a lot of associate schemes out there and not all are fantastic but if your associate scheme is highly respected and the teachers are of a high calibre (not that they were professional dancers, but that they are outstanding teachers) then you should listen to them about the level of proficiency required. If you are serious about going to vocational dance school at 16 then these years are essential in gaining the strongest technique you can. 15 hours a week on top of school with travel and other family commitments is not necessary, you are in danger of burnout and injury. However, every hour you do spend dancing has to be developing you in strength, technique and artistry. 3 hours a week, sub standard teaching (if that’s what it is) will not cut it I’m afraid.

The dates for tutugirls summer school is 30 July to 11 August. 2 weeks this year, can do 1 or 2 weeks.

Thank you ladies, so relieved he can move forward now. Yes, that’s exactly it Lin. All about them!!

Well, what a thoroughly draining half term. DS has had to undergo hip surgery to repair a damaged labrum and reshaping of the ball joint to prevent any re occurrence. This injury began in February and ds has had various amounts of time away from dancing, various strategies to try to manage the injury and meetings with a couple of consultants to try to accertain the exact problem. He has had x-ray, MRI and CT scans and at one point I felt as if we would never get to the bottom of it. Out of the blue our second consultant decided that he needed to refer DS onto a child specialist (after 2 months of silence) - thought he was one - and after believing in the summer term a solution had been found we were thrown into a loop hearing that it could be something else and a lot more serious than originally anticipated. We met with another consultant surgeon in August after DS had had rest, and a couple of summer schools to see how the hip was progressing. We immediately felt reassured by this consultant and he knew exactly what the problem was and how to fix it - we left the meeting with the first bit of real understanding and hope in 6 months. Next meeting set for half term to discuss timings of possible operations. Meeting on Tuesday, ds rang me to say consultant could do operation the following day! We juggled things about, booked a hotel and set off early the next morning, only to be told 2 hours later that the operation couldn’t go ahead at the clinic chosen as ds under 18 - no one had checked age! Tense wait to see if another hospital could take him for Friday and whether insurance company would cover this other hospital. So, on Friday DS has his operation. A 2 1/2 hour arthrosopy. We finally got him home today at 3.30pm - and I am truly exhausted/drained yet relieved that he is out of surgery and on the road to recovery. Obviously not a life threatening condition but vital to get the right treatment for him to pursue his dancing career. At may points yesterday I thought how mad we were to let our healthy teenage son go through a surgery for something like this! He has been very chatty today on the way home feeling hope for his career for the first time in a number of months. I have found out the vary mixed messsges he has been receiving from school which have actually made my blood boil! Some extremely supportive teachers and others that have accused him of skiving, exaggerating and being lazy! I actually HATE the old fashioned ‘do or die’ approach of some dance teachers. That is what ruined my dance career and I am fuming right now. When will they ever learn they have in their hands vulnerable, driven, hard working kids who just want to please their teachers and are terrified of being dropped from shows and performance opportunities. I wish I could protect him from this dance world but I can’t as it’s his Choice to dance but good grief I wish my doors had never been darkened by this twisted world of ego maniacs!

I have no personal experience of this but a lot of experience of parents and children blurring the lines between truth and fiction - a half truth seems so plausible! The lady at RBS has no cause to lie to you.

Non ds and dh really liked the Hammond this morning. They seemed to have all their questions answered and the academic side, while limited in A'level choice, perfect for our son. It will help focus his mind as he won't audition until this time next year.

In our experience Tring has excellent pastoral care for US.

Yes, I thought exactly the same thing.

The men at RB are on fire! Great to see Vadim in class and Joseph Sissons is surely marked for stardom.

Love to see the companies in class. Akimov is amazing! Looking forward to seeing RB in class, luckily I have a work break just at the right time today!

How wonderful. Love some of the facial expressions but he looks so genuinely proud of them all at the end.

Just in case anyone is interested and not seen this elsewhere. One for the boys.

Thank you pictures, he is very much looking forward to the open morning. He likes the idea of going somewhere different to his brother. if I can offer any advice about the MT course at Tring I'm happy to tell you what I know. Ds has many friends on the course and as he is home this weekend I can find out anything you may like to know. Pm me any specific queries.

That's good to know Gilly, thank you. If I have any queries that pop up after the open morning, I'll be in touch.

Couple of girls from Tring.

Hi Sarah. This is what I know: 6:1 is a common year with all dancers doing the same mix of classes. This is called foundation year. The year is streamed though into F:1 and F:2 based on their classical standard. People are not stuck in the class they are initially set into, they can move up or down. There are 2 lots of assessments in the year, November and I think May. Students pretty much choose which stream they want to enter for 6:2, classical or dance. However, they do have to pass the assessment to go onto their chosen course. If they pass both they can choose, the school may make a recommendation but it's up to the student. 6:2 is also streamed and the classes are taken With the 3rd year upper school dancers. The classes are C:1, C:2, D:1,D:2. Hope that helps.

Thank you 2dm. I have now booked onto the open day, I also find it's helpful to speak to/ get info from past/current students as they are on the ground and can share their experiences that may not be apparent on open days. I do not know The Hammond at all (ds come across some dancers on various courses) for drama. It's good to know that he will be able to keep up his singing as there is not much mention of that in the course details. My drama son will definitely be trying Tring as we know it so well but it would be great to have another comparable option.

Does anyone on here know much about the 6th form drama course at The Hammond? Is it a recent course, is it a good grounding for getting into drama colleges, is there singing within the course? We have looked at Tring drama at 16, but this course was new to me. Are there any other similar courses around? My younger son wants to be an actor/singer and we have a year before auditions and I'm trying to gather information about something I know little about. I'm sure someone here will know more than me! I will check out 'not a pushy mum' but I don't find it a very satisfactory forum generally.

Tring will remove funding if the dancer is not reaching the standard. It's not common but it does happen. They may get moved sideways if they don't need funding. I imagine any of the schools assess out if the dancer isn't reaching the correct standard

It is a very tough time for us mums, but I think they cope better than us. When ds first went my younger son used to go and sleep in his brothers room. They do have a huge workload but they manage very well and need their exeat weekends and holidays for sleep and eating! The kids that got dropped off today were all so excited to be back and seeing their friends, it really is a second family. I'm sure your dd will settle and soon find her feet. For us mums there is always chocolate and gin!!!

Well, another school year starts and another emotional drop off at vocational school is looming. After such a lovely summer holidays spending time together, there always seems to be such a hole left when ds is dropped back at school. He is so excited to be going back and of course we are thrilled that he can follow his dreams. With only 2 years left of upper school these long holidays will soon be a thing of the past. I wish all parents of vocational students (new and old) safe journeys and strong nerves for the ensuing days. My Tring-a-ling is returning today to be there to welcome new starters tomorrow. Good luck all.

Oh good lord!

That's nice to hear elfin, thank you. He'll be thrilled to know he's inspired others.